Adjusting mechanism.



C. A. NIANKIN.

AD'JUSTlNG IVIECHANISM.

APPLICATION man MAR. 2o. 191s.

1N VENIOR.

A TTORNE YS.

'L Char/e5 A. Mln/fn 36% CHARLES A. JNIANKIN, F STURGIS, MC'IIGN, ASSGNOE TO JERRGLD TNALTON, OF STUEGS, IVIHGAN.

ADJUSTNG MECHANSM.

Application filed March 20,

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, CHARLES A. VANKIN, a citizen the United `tates, residing at lturg's, county of St. Joseph, tate of Michigan, have invented certain new and us V l improvements in Adjusting li/ilechanisms, of which the following is a speciiication.

Tl is invention relates to improvements in adjusting mechanisms.

My improvements are particularly de.- signed by me for embodiment in adjusting mechanisms for adjustable chairs of the type shown, for example, in the Borgert llatent No, 1,087,526, lieb. 1T, 191i-, and

illustrated the same I have em- :dicd them in such a chair structure. My mprovements are, however, readily adapted lesirable for use in various relations.

e main objects of my invention are: First, to provide an improved adjusting Aneclianism. Second, to provide an improved adjusting iechanism for adjustable chairs. rihird, to provide an improved adjusting meclninism which is noiseless, is capable of adjustment to any position within its scope and supports the adjustable member against movement in either direction. Fourth, to provide an improved adjusting nieclnuiism having these advantages which is very simple and compact in structure and at the same time one which is strong and durable.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

l accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

rlhe invention is clearly pointed out in the claims.

ji structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l defined and is a detail inverted view of a chair embodying the features of my invention. Fig. is an enlarged 'detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 111, parts being shown in full lilies to better illustrate structural d etails. Fig. lll is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Figs. 1l and 1V. Fig. 1V is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line @1 -f1 of Fig. 1H,

Specification of Letters Patent.

1916. Serial NO. 35,348.

parts being shown in full lines to better illustrate the structure thereof. Fig. V is a perspective view of the casing members 13 and le in disassembled relation. F ig. Vl is a plan of the blank for tbe casing member 13. lill is a plan view of the blank of the casing member 1l. V111 is a plan view of the casing plate 15.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are alien looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the chair illustinted comprises front and rear legs 1 and 2 connected by the side bars 3 and the arms 4;. i horizontally disposed bar 5 extends between the front rail 6 and rear rail 8 represents the adjustable bach which is hinged to the chair frame in the well-known manner, preferably as illustrated in the Borgert patent referred to. rEhe back is j irovided with a downwardly projecting arm 9. rlhe slide bar or adjustable. member 10 of the adjusting mechanism is connected to the arm 9 by the link 11.

r1 casing-like support having a slide way 12 for the member 10 is provided, the support being mounted on the horizontal piece 5 of the chair frame. rhis support comprises a pair of members 123 and 141- and the top plate 15 having holes 16 adapted to receive attaching screws 17. rlhe members 13 and 14 are sheet metal stampings, the blanks therefor being shown in Figs. Vl and VH, respectively. The member 13 is provided with a way 18 disposed transversely of the way 12 for the slide bar 10 while the member 1-1 is provided with a way 19 arranged at the side of the way 18. The casing or support member 13 has an upturned flange 2O at one end forming one end of the casing and one side of the way 12. lt also has upturned flanges 21 and 22 forming the side members of the way 1S. The flanges 22 are spaced to provide an opening 23 adapted to receive the outturned portions 21 at the edges of an opening in the flnige 25 of the member 1e which has an upturned flange on each edge, its outer iiange 2G constituting one side 'all of the casing and one side of the way 19. rlhe projections 2e tit between the anges 22 as shown yin Fig.

111. These easing .members are provided.`

with suitable rivet projections 27 while the plate 15 has openings 2S adapted to receive the saine. W hen these projections are iutrod uced into the openings and riveted therein the parts are effectively retained in their assembled relation.

The folding lines of the blanks are indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. Vl and VH.

The way 18 is adapted to receive the cage member 29 for the clutch roller 32 while the way 19 is adapted to receive the actuating member 30. The cage member Q9 is supported for reciprocating movement transversely of the slide bar 10. `t its in er end the cage member Q9 is provided with a recess-like cage 31 for the clutch roller The walls at the inner end of this recess 31 are l-shaped or, in other words7 constitute oppositely disposed forwardly inclined surfaces 33 which coact with the clutch roller 32. rlhe clutch roller 32 is preferably knurled on its periphery7 as shown in Fig. lV, and provided with a central peripheral groove The member ill has a longitudb nal bor@ i (mening into-the recess Ell rat its apex. 'lhe coiled spring il() is arranged within this bore with one cud engaged in the groove 3land the other engaged with a pin 3? carried by the support or casing member. Thus arranged, the spring tends to center the clutch roller in its cage and also to retract the cage member Q9. The cage member is provided with a recess 38 opposite the opening between the ways 18 and 19.

rllhe portions Q-lprojecting` between the flanges 22 constitute a cage for the actuating roller 39. The recess 3S has an inclined surface 4l() at its inner edge with which thc roller 39 coacts7 so that when the roller is forced inwardly or actuated, it actuates theI cage member to force the clutch roller against the adjustable member 10 and, owing to the inclined walls 33 of the cage, the force applied to the member 10 to move it in either direction causes the clutch roller to engage more securely.

rlhe djusting member 30 is slidably supported in the way 19 and is provided with a cam il1 at its inner end coacting with the roller to force it and support it in actuated position by means of the spring l2, onev end of which is connected to the pin 455 on the actuating member and the other to a pin all on the casing or support. lilith the parts thus arranged, a comparatively light spring or a slight force on the actuating member is suliicient to actuate the roller 39 and through it the cage member to engage the clutch and to retain it in engaged position. A correspondingly slight movement is suflicient to release these parts so that while the mechanism is very easily operated it is very strong and secure.

For convenience in operation when applied to a chair as l have illustrated, l mount a bell-crank lever 45 on a bracket l@ carried by the side rail 3 and connect one end to the adjusting member by the link .t7 and the other to a push rod i8 which is preferably carried through the arm 4 as in the lorgert patent referred to.

ifiy improved adjusting mechanism is noiselcss in its operation and has the advantage of being very strong and secure when engaged and at the same time may be easily engaged and released and this by a very slight movement. @wing to the fact that a very light spring is sullicient to actuate the parts to engaging position but little power is required to Vdisengage or release the mechanism.

l have illustrated and described my improvements in the form in which I have embodied them for use on adjustable chairs of the type referred to. l have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and structural details which l contemplate or `which might be desirable in adapting my improvements to other structures as li believe the disclosure willY enable those skilled in the art to which my inven tion relates to embody or adapt the same as conditions or circumstances may require.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. ln a structure of the class described the combination of a slide bar, a coacting clutch roller having a central peripheral groove, a casing-like support member provided with a way for said slide bar, a clutch roller cage member way disposed transversely of said slide bar way7 and an actuating member way disposed at the side of said cage member slide way, there being an opening between said cage member and actuating member ways constituting an actuating roller cage, an actuating roller disposed in said cage, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller recess having a vl-shaped rear wall and with a longitudinal bore opening into said recess at the apex thereof7 said cage member being provided with a recess opposite said actuating roller cage having a forwardly inclined front edge coacting with said actuating roller, a spring disposed in' the said boro of said cage member with one end engaged with said groove of said clutch roller and the other connected to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, an actuating member disposed in said actuating member slide way and having a cam coacting with said actuating roller, a spring urging said actuating member to actuating position, and means for retracting said actuating member.

narines 2. In a structure or the class described,the combination of a slide bar, a coacting clutch roller having a central peripheral groove, a casing-like support member provided With a Way for said slide bar, a clutch roller cage member vvay disposed transversely of said slide bar Way, and an actuating member Way disposed at the side of said cage member slide ivay, there being an opening between said cage member and actuating member .vays constituting an actuating roller cage, an actuating roller disposed in said cage, a clutch roder cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller recess having a 'lf-shaped rear Wall and With a, longitudinal bore opening into said recess at the apex thereof, said cage member being provided with a recess opposite said actuating roller cage havinga forwardly inclined front edge coacting with said actuating roller, a spring disposed in the said bore ot said cage member With one end engaged ivith said groove of said clutch roller and the other connected to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract the said cage member, and an actuating member disposed iu said actuating member slide Way and having a cam coacting with said actuating roller.

3. ln a structure oi the class described, the combination of a slide bar, a coacting` clutch roller having a lrnurled periphery and a central peripheral groove, a casing-like support member provided With a Way for said slide bar, a clutch roller cage member .vay disposed transversely of said slide bar Way, an actuating roller disposed in said cage, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller recess having a li-shaped rear Wall and with a longitudinal bore opening into said recess at the apex thereof, a spring disposed in the said bore of said cage member with one end engaged with said groove of said clutch roller and the other connected to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, and means for actuating said cage member.

l. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a slide bar, a coacting clutch roller, a casing-like support member provided ivith a Way for said slide bar, a clutch roller cage member Way disposed transversely of said slide bar Way, and an actuating member Way disposed at one side of said cage member slide Way, there being an opening between said cage member and actuating member Ways constituting an actuating` roller cage, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller cage having oppositely disposed clutching surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a spring connected to said roller and to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage mem isst ber, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided With a surface inclined to the plane of its movement with which said roller` coacts, a reciprocating actuating member having a cam coacting with said actuating roller, and a spring urging said actuating member to actuated position.

5S. in a structure et the class described, the combination of a slide bar, a coacting clutch roller having a central peripheral groove, a casing-like support member provided With a Way for said slide bar and a clutch roller cage member way disposed transversely ot' said slide bar way, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller cage having oppositelv disposed clutching surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a spring engaged with said groove oit said clutch roller and connected 'to said support, so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, and means for actuating said cage member.

5. ln a structure of the cl .ss described, tl e combination. of a slide bar, a enacting clutch roller having a ceulral peripheral groove, a casing-like support member provided with a way for said slide bar and a clutch roller cage member vvay disposed transversely of said slide bar Way, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller cage having oppositely disposed clutching surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, and a spring engaged ivith said groove of said clutch roller and connected to said support so that acts to center the roller and retract said cage member.

7. ln a structure ot the class described, the combination of a slide bar, a coacting clutch roller, a casing-like support member provided With a uay for aid slide bar and a clutch roller cage member Way disposed transversely oit said slide bar Way, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end With a clutch roller caOe having oppositely disposed clutching surta-ces with Which said clutch roller coacts, a spring connected to said roller and said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, and means for actuating said cage member.

S. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a support, an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller having a central peripheral groove, a clutch roller cage member provided at its inner end with a clutch roller recess having a lf-shaped rear Wall and ivith a longitudinal bore opening into said recess at the apex thereof, a spring disposed in the said bore of said cage member with one end engaged with said groove et said clutch roller and the other connected to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, and means for actuating said cage member.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a support, an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller, a clutch roller cage member provided with a clutch roller cage having oppositely disposed inclined suritaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a spring connected to said clutcli roller and to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided with a surface inclined to the plane of its movement with wliicli said actuating roller coacts, areciprocating actuating member having a cam coacting with said actuating roller, and a spring urging said actuating member to actuated position.

10. In a .structure of the class described, tbe combination of a support, an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller, a clutcli roller cage member provided with a clutch roller cage having oppositely disposed inclined surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a soring connected to said clutch roller and to said support so that it acts to center the roller and retract said cage member, and means iior actuating said cage member.

1i. ln a structure el' the class described, the combination oi' an adjustable member, a coacting clutcli roller, a. roller cage member provided with a clutcli roller cage having oppositely disposed inclined surtaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a spring acting` to center said roller and retract said roller cage member, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided with a sur'ace inclined to tbe plane oi its movement with which said actuating` roller coacts, a reciprocating actuating member having a cam coacting with said actuating roller, and a spring urging said actuating member to actuated position` 12. In a structure of the class described, tlie combination of an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller, a roller cage member provided with a clutch roller cage liaving oppositely disposed inclined surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, a spring acting to center said roller and retract said roller cage member, and means ior actuating said clutch roller. Y

13. ln ay structure of tlie class described,

tlie combination ot an adjustable member, aV

coacting clutch roller, a roller cage member supported for movement transversely of said adjustable member and provided witli oppositely disposed forwardly inclined surfaces with which said roller coacts, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided witli a forwardly inclined surface with which said actuating roller coacts, and an actuating` member coacting witli said actuating roller.

111. ln a structure of the class described, the combination oi an adjustable member, a coaeting clutch roller, a roller cage member supported for movement transversely of said adjustable member, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided with a forwardly inclined surface with wbicli said actuating roller coacts, and an actuating member coacting with said actuating roller.

15. ln a structure oit the class described, the combination of an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller, a clutch roller cage member supporting said roller to coact with said adjustable member, a spring for retracting said cage member, an actuating roller, said cage member being provided with a surface inclined to the plane of its movement with wliicli said actuating roller coacts, and

actuating means for said actuating roller.

16. in a structure of the class described, the combination of an adjustable member, a coacting clutch roller, a cage member provided or said clutch roller liaving oppositely disposed inclined'surfaces with which said clutch roller coacts, and means Jfor actuating said cage member.

In witness whereof, l have hereunto slet my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. MANKIN. [11. s]

Witnesses:

Trino. T. JACOBS, E. B. GRAY.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentea Washington, D. C. 

